Effect of different aspect ratio (length to diameter ratio, L:D) on single polypyrrole (Ppy) nanowire based field effect transistor (FET) sensor for real time pH monitoring was studied. Ppy nanowires with diameters of ~60, ~80 and ~200 nm were synthesized using electrochemical deposition inside anodized aluminium oxide (AAO) template and were assembled using AC dielectrophoretic alignment followed by maskless anchoring on a pair of gold electrodes separated with different gap lengths. Microfabricated gold electrode patterns with gap size between 1 - 4 μm were developed by means of MEMS technique (photolithography). Using field effect transistor geometry with pair of microfabricated gold contact electrodes serving as a source and a drain, and a platinum (Pt) mesh (anchored in a microfluidic channel) was used as a gate electrode. When effect of different aspect ratio of the nanowire were compared, higher sensitivity was recorded for higher aspect ratio. The sensitivity was further improved by modulating the gate potential. These FET sensors based on single polypyrrole nanowire exhibited excellent and tunable sensitivity towards pH variations.

Few studies investigate gambling problems at the symptom level; even fewer investigate how symptom patterns change throughout the course of a gambling disorder. The current study utilized the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC; Grant et al., 2004) to investigate how the specific symptoms of disordered gambling relate to its severity and course. Results demonstrated that symptom patterns and stability changed as the number of symptoms endorsed increased. Symptom patterns varied considerably from prior to past year (PPY) to past year (PY) timeframes. Certain symptoms were more stable than others and held predictive value as markers of emerging pathological gambling (PG). In particular, gambling to escape problems was one of the most stable symptoms and also predictive of progression to PG; reliance on others to support gambling was predictive of progression to PG among participants at-risk for PG. The differential diagnostic value of various reported symptoms, as well as their lack of stability, has implications for both researchers and clinicians.

Pressure sensors with 3D conformability are highly desirable components for artificial electronic skin or e-textiles that can mimic natural skin, especially for application in real-time monitoring of human physiological signals. Here, a nanofiber based electronic skin with ultra-high pressure sensitivity and 3D conformability is designed and built by interlocking two elastic patterned nanofibrous membranes. The patterned membrane is facilely prepared by casting conductive nanofiber ink into a silicon mould to form an array of semi-spheroid-like protuberances. The protuberances composed of intertwined elastic POE nanofibers and PPy@PVA-co-PE nanofibers afford a tunable effective elastic modulus that is capable of capturing varied strains and stresses, thereby contributing to a high sensitivity for pressure sensing. This electronic skin-like sensor demonstrates an ultra-high sensitivity (1.24 kPa(-1)) below 150 Pa with a detection limit as low as about 1.3 Pa. The pixelated sensor array and a RGB-LED light are then assembled into a circuit and show a feasibility for visual detection of spatial pressure. Furthermore, a nanofiber based proof-of-concept wireless pressure sensor with a bluetooth module as a signal transmitter is proposed and has demonstrated great promise for wireless monitoring of human physiological signals, indicating a potential for large scale wearable electronic devices or e-skin.

In recent years, many procedures based on surface modification have been suggested to improve the biocompatibility and biofunctionality of orthopedic titanium-based implants. In this contest, the development of a new titanium-based biomaterial that could be covalently modified with biologically active molecules (i.e., RGD-peptides, growth factors, etc.) able to improve osteoblasts response was investigated. The strategy followed was based on a preliminary coating of the implant material by an adherent thin polymer film to which bioactive molecules could be grafted exploiting the polymer surface chemical reactivity. In this work, we focused our attention on pyrrole-3-acetic acid (Py-3-acetic), a pyrrole with carboxylic acid substituent, whose electrosynthesis and characterization on titanium substrates were already accomplished and whose potentialities in the design of new biocompatible surfaces are well evident. As first step, the biocompatibility of the electrochemically grown PPy-3-acetic films was investigated performing in vitro tests (adhesion and proliferation) with mouse bone marrow cells. Successively, the availability and reactivity of surface carboxylic groups were tested through the grafting of an aminoacidic residue to PPy-3-acetic films.

The development of pure-blue-to-deep-blue-emitting ionic phosphors is an ultimate challenge for full-color displays and white-light sources. Herein we report two series of short-wavelength light-emitting cationic iridium(III) complexes with nonconjugated ancillary and cyclometalating ligands, respectively. In the first series, nonconjugated 1-[(diphenylphosphino)methyl]-3-methylimidazolin-2-ylidene-C,C2' (dppmmi) is used as the ancillary ligand and 2-phenylpyridine (ppy), 2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)pyridine (dfppy), and 1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1H-pyrazole (dfppz) are used as cyclometalating ligands. In the second one, nonconjugated 2,4-difluorobenzyl-N-pyrazole (dfbpz) is used as the cyclometalating ligand and 3-methyl-1-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazolin-2-ylidene-C,C(2)' (pymbi) as the ancillary ligand. The synthesis and photophysical and electrochemical properties, together with the X-ray crystal structures of these complexes, have been investigated. At room temperature, blue-emitting complexes [Ir(ppy)2(dppmmi)]PF6 (1) and [Ir(dfppy)2(dppmmi)]PF6 (2; PF6(-) is hexafluorophosphate) show much larger photoluminescence quantum yields of 24% and 46%, respectively. On the contrary, for complexes [Ir(dfppz)2(dppmmi)]PF6 (3) and [Ir(dfbpz)2(pymbi)]PF6 (4), deep-blue luminescence is only observed at low temperature (77 K). Density functional theory calculations are used to rationalize the differences in the photophysical behavior observed upon changes of the ligands. It is shown that the electronic transition dipoles of cationic iridium complexes 1 and 2 are mainly confined to cyclometalated ligands ((3)MLCT and LC (3)π-π*) and those of complex 3 are confined to all of the ligands ((3)MLCT, LC (3)π-π*, and (3)LLCT) because of the high LUMO energy level of dfppz. The emission of 4 mainly originates from the central iridium(III) ion and cyclometalated ligand to ancillary ligand charge transfer ((3)MLCT and (3)LLCT), in contrast to commonly designed cationic complexes using carbene-type ancillary ligands, where emission originates from the cyclometalated main ligands. Solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes based on complexes 1 and 2 gave blue-green (498 nm) and blue (478 nm) electroluminescence with maximum current efficiencies of 3.8 and 3.4 cd A(-1), respectively. The results indicate that introducing nonconjugated ligands into cationic iridium complexes is an effective means of achieving short-wavelength light-emitting phosphors.

The biosynthesis of dimeric pyrrole-imidazole alkaloids is likely mediated by enzyme-catalyzed reversible single-electron transfer (SET) cycloaddition. We now show that Ir(ppy)3 can promote SET-mediated formal [2+2] and [4+2] cycloaddition reactions of pyrrole-imidazole alkaloids-related substrates under photolytic conditions. This biomimetic approach is useful for the construction of the core skeleton of nakamuric acid and sceptrin.

Peptide YY (PYY) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) are peptides of 36 amino acids that share structural homologies with pancreatic polypeptide (PP). PP is predominantly found in the endocrine pancreas. PPY is primarily found in mucosal endocrine cells of the distal ileum, colon, and rectum, whereas NPY is found in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. Previous studies indicate that these peptides can interact with the autonomic nervous system. The objective of the present experiments was to study the effect of PYY on neurally stimulated insulin release [i.e., in response to 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG), a nonmetabolizable glucose analogue] in conscious dogs. Intravenous administration of PYY (100, 200, and 400 pmol.kg-1.h-1) reduced 2-DG-stimulated insulin release in a dose-dependent manner (P less than 0.05) without affecting plasma glucose levels. Administration of NPY (800 pmol.kg-1.h-1), but not PP (400 pmol.kg-1.h-1), reduced 2-DG-stimulated release of insulin (P less than 0.05). The inhibitory action of PYY on 2-DG-stimulated insulin release persisted in the presence of atropine or phentolamine treatment; however, hexamethonium alone or phentolamine plus propranolol treatment blocked the inhibitory action of PYY. Release of insulin stimulated by the beta-agonist isoproterenol was also inhibited by PYY (P less than 0.05). These results indicate that PYY can inhibit autonomic neurotransmission by a mechanism that may involve ganglionic or postganglionic inhibition of beta-adrenergic stimulation. Our findings suggest a role for PYY and NPY in the autonomic regulation of insulin release.

A sensitive electrochemical detection of DNA hybridization using a paste electrode assembled by multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) and immobilizing DNA probe within electropolymerized polypyrrole (ppy) was developed. The detection approach relied on entrapping of DNA probe within electropolymerized ppy film on the MWNT paste electrode and monitoring the current change generated from an electroactive intercalator of ethidium bromide (EB) after DNA hybridization. As a consequence of DNA hybridization, significant changes in the current of EB intercalated with double-stranded DNA (ds-DNA) on the MWNT paste electrode were observed. Based on the response of EB, only the complementary DNA sequence gave an obvious current signal compared with the five-point mismatched and non-complementary sequences. The oxidation peak current was linearly related to the logarithm of the concentration of the complementary DNA sequence from 1.0x10(-10) to 1.0x10(-8)M with a detection limit of 8.5x10(-11)M. This work demonstrates that the incorporation of MWNT paste electrode with electropolymerization is a promising strategy of functional interfaces for the immobilization of biological recognition elements.

We have suggested a novel method for the preparation of a label-free electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as target marker for prostate cancer. Direct incorporation of PSA antibody (anti-PSA) into polypyrrole (Ppy) electropolymerized on a three-dimensional Au nanowire array has resulted in enhanced molecular interactions, ultimately leading to improved sensing performance. The electrochemical performance of the nanowire-based immunosensor array were characterized by (1) differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) to evaluate the specific recognition of PSA, (2) impedance and cyclic voltammetry to observe surface resistance and electroactivity, and (3) scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to demonstrate the three-dimensional architecture. The vertically-aligned geometric organization of Ppy provides a novel platform to improve the anti-PSA loading capacity. Overall, enhanced electrochemical performance of the proposed immunosensor has been demonstrated by its linear response over PSA concentrations ranging from 10 fg mL(-1) to 10 ng mL(-1) and a detection limit of 0.3 fg mL(-1), indicating that the strategy proposed here has great potential for clinical applications.

BACKGROUND

Intrinsically conducting polymers, such as polypyrrole (PPy), have been utilized for drug delivery purposes as drug release rates can be tuned by electrical stimulation. Electrical stimulation can be used to switch the redox state of PPy, subsequently changing the electrostatic charge and volume of the polymer. Most literature to date has focused on the delivery of charged bioactives. This study aimed to prepare a PPy film formulation where the release rate of the uncharged drug progesterone could be electrically tuned.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study PPy films loaded with progesterone are described. Drug loading levels were influenced by the concentration of drug during manufacture and polymerization time. The polymer formulation was electrically conductive and electroactive, switchable between oxidized and reduced states. Drug release was influenced by the application of electrical stimulation, the greatest release was observed on application of +0.8 V (to oxidize the polymer). Triggered release was observed in response to a period of electrical stimulation (±0.8 V at 0.5 Hz).

CONCLUSIONS

This study describes the preparation of a PPy film loaded with the uncharged drug progesterone. The release rate could be tuned with electrical stimulation.

A new Ir(iii) cyclometallated complex bearing a fluorenyl 5-substituted-1,10-phenanthroline ligand ([Ir(ppy)2()][PF6], ppy = 2-phenylpyridine) is presented which exhibits enhanced triplet oxygen sensing properties. The efficacy of this complex to act as a photosensitiser for altering the morphology of C6 Glioma cells that represent malignant nervous tumours has been evaluated. The increased heavy metal effect and related spin-orbit coupling parameters on the photophysical properties of this complex are evidenced by comparison with Ru(ii) analogues. The complex [Ir(ppy)2()][PF6] is shown to exhibit relatively high two-photon absorption efficiencies for the lowest energy MLCT electronic transitions with two-photon absorption cross sections that range from 50 to 80 Goeppert-Mayer units between 750 to 800 nm. Quantum yields for the complex were measured up to 23% and the Stern-Volmer quenching constant, KSV was determined to be 40 bar(-1) in acetonitrile solution, confirming the high efficiency of the complex as a triplet oxygen sensitiser. Preliminary in vitro experiments with C6 Glioma cells treated with [Ir(ppy)2()][PF6], show that the complex is an efficient sensitizer for triplet oxygen, producing cytotoxic singlet oxygen ((1)O2) by two-photon excitation at 740 nm resulting in photodynamic effects that lead to localised cell damage and death.

A method, based on the inhibition of an ultrathin polypyrrole-glucose oxidase (PPy-GOx) potentiometric biosensor response, is described for the detection of Cu(2+), Hg(2+), Cd(2+) and Pb(2+) ions. Based on experimental conditions (0.2 M pyrrole, 500 U mL(-1) GOx, and an applied current density of 0.05 mA cm(-2) and a polymerization period of 500s) previously published by us, PPy-GOx films of approximately 55 nm thick were used to demonstrate the inhibitive potentiometric detection of selected trace metals down to 0.079 μM Cu(2+), 0.025 μM Hg(2+), 0.024 μM Pb(2+) and 0.044 μM Cd(2+). Furthermore, good linear concentration ranges were achieved for Cu(2+) (0.079-16 μM), Hg(2+) (0.025-5 μM), Pb(2+) (0.10-15 μM) and Cd(2+) (0.04-62 μM). The analysis of the nature of the inhibition of glucose oxidase in the PPy-GOx biosensor by these metals was achieved by Dixon and Cornish-Bowden plots. The shapes of the curves (exponential decay, parabolic and linear) obtained for the inhibitors suggest that the inhibition by the metal ions may not be exclusively directed at the essential -SH group, but involve additional binding sites of the enzyme. Dixon and Cornish-Bowden plots suggest that the inhibition is competitive for Cd(2+), while non-competitive inhibition was observed for other metal ions. The ultra-thin PPy-GOx film enabled improved permeability to the metal inhibitors than possible with conventional biosensors with thicker films and, hence, better reflects the actual inhibition effect of the trace metals on the enzyme activity. The use of the ultra-thin film also eliminated the usual need for incubation of the enzyme electrode for a long period in the presence of the inhibitors. Furthermore, a rapid recovery of the enzyme activity was achieved by simply washing the electrode with water and storing in phosphate buffer for 10-15 min. The proposed biosensing approach was successfully used for the detection of individual trace metals in tap water, achieving a 98-101% recovery.

To produce conductive, biocompatible, and mechanically robust materials for use in bioelectrical applications, we have developed a new strategy to selectively incorporate poly(pyrrole) (Ppy) into constructs made from silk fibroin. Here, we demonstrate that covalent attachment of negatively charged, hydrophilic sulfonic acid groups to the silk protein can selectively promote pyrrole absorption and polymerization within the modified films to form a conductive, interpenetrating network of Ppy and silk that is incapable of delamination. To further increase the conductivity and long-term stability of the Ppy network, a variety of small molecule sulfonic acid dopants were utilized and the properties of these silk-conducting polymer composites were monitored over time. The composites were evaluated using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, a 4-point resistivity probe and mechanical testing. In addition, the performance was evaluated following exposure to several biologically relevant enzymes. Using this strategy, we were able to produce mechanically robust polymer electrodes with stable electrochemical performance and sheet resistivities on the order of 1 × 10(2) Ω/sq (conductivity ∼1 S/cm).

In this work, cobalt/polypyrrole (Co/PPy) nanocomposites were prepared via an in situ oxidation polymerization of pyrrole in an aqueous dispersion of Co nanoparticles (NPs). The Co/PPy nanocomposites showed good electromagnetic properties because of the coexistence of magnetic loss and dielectric loss to electromagnetic waves. The electromagnetic wave absorbing bandwidth (reflection loss < -10 dB) for Co/PPy (30 wt% in a paraffin matrix) was located at 11.7-16.47 GHz with a thickness of 2 mm, and with a maximum reflection loss (around -33 dB) at 13.6 GHz. More interestingly, the electromagnetic wave absorbing properties of the nanocomposites can be easily controlled by tuning the ratio of the two components in the composites. This improved electromagnetic wave absorption may be attributed to the excellent electromagnetic match at the corresponding resonance peaks for dielectric and magnetic loss. These magnetic nanoparticles/conducting polymer nanocomposites are great potential candidates for use as electromagnetic wave absorbents due to their excellent properties such as wide absorbing frequency, strong absorption, good compatibility, low density and controllable absorbing properties.

The rate constant (kH) of hydride transfer from an NADH analogue, 9,10-dihydro-10-methylacridine (AcrH2), to 1-(p-tolylsulfinyl)-2,5-benzoquinone (TolSQ) increases with increasing Sc(3+) concentration ([Sc(3+)]) to reach a constant value, when all TolSQ molecules form the TolSQ-Sc(3+) complex. When AcrH2 is replaced by the dideuterated compound (AcrD2), however, the rate constant (kD) increases linearly with an increase in ([Sc(3+)]) without exhibiting a saturation behavior. In such a case, the primary kinetic deuterium isotope effect (kH/kD) decreases with increasing ([Sc(3+)]). On the other hand, the rate constant of Sc(3+)-promoted electron transfer from tris(2-phenylpyridine)iridium [Ir(ppy)3]to TolSQ also increases linearly with increasing ([Sc(3+)]) at high concentrations of Sc(3+) due to formation of a 1:2 complex between TolSQ*- and Sc(3+), [TolSQ*--(Sc(3+)2], which was detected by ESR. The significant difference with regard to dependence of the rate constant of hydride transfer on ([Sc(3+)]) between AcrH2 and AcrD2 in comparison with that of Sc3+-promoted electron transfer indicates that the reaction pathway is changed from one-step hydride transfer from AcrH2 to the TolSQ-Sc3+ complex to Sc3+-promoted electron transfer from AcrD2 to the TolSQ-Sc3+ complex, followed by proton and electron transfer. Such a change between two reaction pathways, which are employed simultaneously, is also observed by simple changes of temperature and concentration of Sc3+.

We purified and characterized a cold-active polygalacturonase (PG) from the extracellular fraction of Cystofilobasidium capitatum strain PPY-1. The purified PG from strain PPY-1 has a molecular mass of about 44 kDa, and exhibited high activity at 0 degrees C, although its optimum temperature was 45 degrees C. Although the Km value for polygalacturonate as a substrate at 45 degrees C was found to be 11.2 mg/ml, it decreased gradually with decreasing temperature, and it was 0.66 mg/ml at 0 degrees C. Moreover, its cleavage pattern was of the endo-type. These findings might indicate that PG from strain PPY-1 is a novel type of cold-active endo-PG that is able to degrade pectin compounds at low temperatures.

To elucidate the relation between structural and magnetic properties, we have synthesized molecular materials having both Cotton effects and a ferromagnetic long range order. Such optically active 3D molecule-based magnets were rationally designed using the enantioselective template effect of optically active cations, namely Delta or Lambda [Ru(bpy)3, ClO4](+) or Delta or Lambda [Ru(bpy)3ppy](+) (bpy = bipyridine; ppy = phenylpyridine). Such cations are able to template the formation of optically active 3D anionic networks in which transition metal ions (Cr-Mn) and (Cr-Ni) are connected by oxalate ligands (ox). Following this strategy, we described the synthesis of ([Ru(bpy)3](2+), ClO4(-), [Mn(II)Cr(III)(ox)3](-))n and ([Ru(bpy)2ppy](+), [M(II)Cr(III)(ox)3](-))n with M(II) = Mn(II), Ni(II) in their optically active forms. In these 3D networks, all of the metallic centers have the same configuration, Delta or Lambda, as the template cation. We have determined the structure of ([DeltaRu(bpy)3][ClO4][DeltaMnDeltaCr(ox)3])n and ([LambdaRu(bpy)2ppy](+), [LambdaMn(II)LambdaCr(III)(ox)3](-))n by X-ray diffraction studies. These optically active networks show the Cotton effect and long-range ferromagnetic order at low temperatures. The magnetic circular dichroism of ([Ru(bpy)3](2+), ClO4(-), [Mn(II)Cr(III)(ox)3](-))n at 2 K is reported.

Styrenes represent a challenging class of substrates for current radical trifluoromethylation and hydrotrifluoromethylation methods due to a myriad of potential side reactions. Herein, we describe the development of mild, selective and broadly applicable photocatalytic trifluoromethylation and hydrotrifluoromethylation protocols for these challenging substrates. The methods use fac-Ir(ppy)3 , visible light and inexpensive CF3 I and can be applied to a diverse set of vinylarene substrates. The use of continuous-flow photochemical reaction conditions allowed to reduce the reaction time and increase the reaction selectivity.

Poly(pyrrole-co-pyrrole propylic acid) (PPy/PPa) composite films were prepared for the first time by electrochemical copolymerization in mixed pyrrole propylic acid (Pa) and pyrrole solutions. The electrochemical growth process was investigated by in situ electrochemical surface plasmon resonance (ESPR). Atomic force microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were applied to characterize the prepared films. Using bovine serum albumin as a model protein, the adsorption kinetics of the protein on PPy/PPa films were studied in situ by SPR. The composition of Pa, the isoelectric point of proteins, the pH of buffers, and surfactant treatment showed dramatic effects on the protein adsorption on the PPy/PPa film. Experimental results indicated that the electrostatic interaction between the PPy/PPa film and proteins plays a critical role in protein adsorption and provided a novel strategy to efficiently immobilize proteins and to reduce nonspecific bindings of proteins in an immunobiosensor.

A surface modification technique was developed in which heparin was covalently immobilized onto electrically conductive polypyrrole (PPY) film through poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) graft copolymerization and subsequent cyanuric chloride activation. In vitro plasma protein adsorption and thrombus formation experiments were carried out on the various films. The PEGMA-graft-copolymerized PPY surfaces with immobilized heparin have good bioactivity indicated by low level of protein adsorption, high ratio of albumin to fibrinogen adsorption, and low thrombus formation, making them potentially good candidates for biomedical applications. Since the PPY film retained significant electrical conductivity after surface modification, the effect of electrical stimulation on protein adsorption and thrombus formation was also evaluated. The covalently immobilized heparin on the PPY film was able to retain its bioactivity after 4 days of immersion in PBS. The film after long-term immersion in PBS also retained sufficient electrical conductivity for electrical stimulation still to be effective for reducing protein adsorption.

A recombinant Escherichia coli was engineered to produce the commercially important amino acid L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) using glycerol as the carbon source. Compared to the conventionally used glucose and sucrose, glycerol is a less expensive carbon source. As phenylalanine dehydrogenase (PheDH) activity is involved in the last step of L-Phe synthesis in E. coli, a phenylalanine dehydrogenase gene (phedh) from the thermotolerant Bacillus lentus was cloned into pRSFDuet-1 (pPheDH) and expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3). The resulting clone had a limited ability to produce L-Phe from glycerol, possibly because of a poor glycerol uptake by the cell, or an inability to excrete L-Phe, or both. Therefore, yddG gene encoding an aromatic amino acid exporter and glpF gene encoding a glycerol transport facilitator were coexpressed with the phedh in a reengineered E. coli. In a glycerol medium, the maximum L-Phe production rates of the clones pPY (phedh and yddG genes) and pPYF (phedh, yddG and glpF genes) were 1.4- and 1.8-fold higher than the maximum production rate of the pPheDH clone. The better producing pPYF clone was further evaluated in a 5 l stirred-tank fermenter (37 °C, an aeration rate of 1 vvm, an agitation speed of 400 rpm). In the fermenter, the maximum concentration of L-Phe (366 mg/l) was achieved in a much shorter period compared to in the shake flasks. In the latter, the highest titer of L-Phe was only 76 % of the maximum value attained in the fermenter.

Cu(x)O (CuO and Cu₂O composite) nanoparticles modified polypyrrole (PPy) nanowires were fabricated and used as a biosensor for detecting glucose (GLC). PPy nanowires were prepared through electrodeposition, while Cu(x)O nanoparticles were deposited on PPy nanowires by electrodeposition and electrochemical oxidation in situ. The scanning electron microscopy images showed the Cu(x)O nanoparticles aligned along the PPy nanowires uniformly and the average size of Cu(x)O nanoparticles is about 90 nm. The electrocatalytic activity of Cu(x)O/PPy/Au towards GLC was investigated under alkaline conditions using cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The sensor exhibited a linear range up to 8 mM of GLC, which is more than two times of most of the existing non-enzymatic GLC sensors based on CuO or Cu₂O. The sensitivity of the sensor is 232.22 μAmM⁻¹ cm⁻² and detection limit is 6.2 μM (at signal/noise=3). Moreover, the sensor showed excellent selectivity, reproducibility and stability properties. These excellent performances make Cu(x)O/PPy/Au a good nonenzymatic GLC sensor.

Deficits in neurite outgrowth, possibly involving dysregulation of risk genes neuregulin-1 (NRG1) and disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) have been implicated in psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia. Electrical stimulation using conductive polymers has been shown to stimulate neurite outgrowth of differentiating human neural stem cells. This study investigated the use of the electroactive conductive polymer polypyrrole (Ppy) to counter impaired neurite outgrowth of primary pre-frontal cortical (PFC) neurons from NRG1-knock out (NRG1-KO) and DISC1-locus impairment (DISC1-LI) mice. Whereas NRG1-KO and DISC1-LI exhibited reduced neurite length and number of neurite branches compared to wild-type controls, this was not apparent for cultures on electroactive Ppy. Additionally, the use of the Ppy substrate normalised the synaptophysin and PSD95 protein and mRNA expression whereas both are usually reduced by NRG1-KO or DISC1-LI. Our findings support the utility of Ppy mediated electrical stimulation to prevent the reduction of neurite outgrowth and related synaptic protein expression in the primary PFC neurons from NRG1-KO and DISC1-LI mice, providing proof-of-concept for treating neurodevelopmental diseases including schizophrenia.

PPYR1, the product of the CG15031 gene, was identified as a protein phosphatase Y (PPY) interacting protein in Drosophila melanogaster using a yeast two-hybrid screen. PPYR1 displays a biphasic expression pattern: the maternal protein is abundant in the developing egg chambers and in the early embryos, while the zygotic protein appears later in development and is localized specifically in the testes of the males. The maternal and zygotic gene products differ from each other in their size having apparent molecular masses of 47 and 66 kDa, respectively. The maternal PPYR1 is localized in the cytoplasm of the follicular and nurse cells and is deposited as a ribonucleoprotein complex in the oocyte. In the early embryos, the PPYR1 is distributed evenly, and it gradually diminishes during embryonic development. Zygotic PPYR1 is expressed exclusively in the testes, predominantly in the cytoplasm of the spermatocytes. PPY is localized in the nuclei of the same cells. Our results suggest that PPYR1 has two distinct developmental isoforms: a maternal protein the expression of which is independent of PPY and a zygotic protein which is co-expressed with PPY.